Zoe Saldaña on Parenting: Balancing Hollywood Stardom and Family Life

Zoe Saldaña may be known for her roles in blockbuster films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Avatar, but for the actress, family always comes first. She cherishes her time with husband Marco Perego and their three sons—Cy, Bowie, and Zen—calling them the “best people” in her life.

Despite her high-profile career, Saldaña and Perego work hard to keep their children out of the public eye. “Marco and I have a great deal of respect for the privacy of our kids,” she told PEOPLE in 2017. “We have to choose for them, and part of that is giving them the anonymity they need.”

Still, her kids are aware of her fame. “I see how [Zen] is trying to place me in his mind, like, ‘Okay, you’re Mama, but you’re also Gamora,’” she shared with InStyle. “The fact that it gives me street cred with my kids—it’s fun, it’s great.”

In October 2024, Saldaña gave a shoutout to working moms on Instagram, posting a photo of Cy and Bowie with her while dressed as Gamora. “Being on the road is hard when you’re away from your children,” she wrote. “To all the moms out there making the ultimate sacrifice for their dreams—those dreams are theirs too. Trust the process. #momlife”

Parenting Twins: Cy and Bowie

Identical twins Cy Aridio and Bowie Ezio Perego-Saldaña were born on November 27, 2014, via emergency C-section. Saldaña did not announce her pregnancy beforehand and later opened up about the challenges she faced postpartum. “Your body changes dramatically,” she said in 2015. “In some cases, your body experiences a kind of trauma through childbirth that is difficult to explain.”

The twins have always been inseparable. “They sleep, eat, and even poop at the same time,” Saldaña told PEOPLE. “They do everything together!” She also shared that parenting boys has been a humbling experience. “We’re determined to raise happy, stress-free men,” she said, adding that she and Perego often seek advice from other parents.

One of their household rules? No outside playdates. “We’re rambunctious and loud,” she explained. “Our doors are always open, but we prefer to host. We want to ensure they’re never exposed to negligence or punished for just being boys.”

Their home reflects this family-first mindset. Saldaña told Architectural Digest that their house is designed to be “beautiful, affordable, artistic, and durable” to withstand the energy of three active boys.

Raising Zen: The Persistent Little Brother

Zen Anton Hilario Perego-Saldaña was born on December 12, 2016. His birth story remains private for now, though Saldaña hinted it was unique. “When the time is right, we’ll share it because we know it could inspire other families,” she said.

As the younger brother to inseparable twins, Zen holds his own. “It takes conscious effort not to forget about Zen, but he never lets us,” Saldaña said. “He’s persistent.”

The couple is raising their boys to be trilingual, speaking Italian, Spanish, and English. “They understand all three languages and switch effortlessly depending on who they’re speaking to,” Saldaña shared.

Redefining Parenting Roles

Saldaña and Perego are committed to breaking traditional gender roles in parenting. “The idea of Daddy’s little girl and Mama’s boys is ludicrous,” she said. “We want our boys to honor women and celebrate their feminine side.”

In February 2023, Saldaña shared sweet moments on Instagram with Zen, captioning a photo of her kissing him on the cheek: “Thank you for keeping me company today.”

Despite her Hollywood success, Zoe Saldaña’s greatest pride is in the family she and Perego have built—one full of love, respect, and intention.